The sale of the map was undoubtedly a very successful act. The young wizards found it convenient, the professors were in a good mood since no one was late anymore, and Kael and the others made a small fortune. It was truly a win-win situation.
If anyone was unhappy, it was probably Filch.
With Fred and George now financially flush, the corridor frequently smelled of Dungbomb.
Filch was nearly driven mad with rage, wanting nothing more than to follow the twins around all day to catch them red-handed.
But Fred and George always managed to find opportunities to lose him.
Cho and Conna also became well-acquainted with Kael due to this matter, especially Conna, who no longer avoided sitting close to Kael during lessons.
Perhaps she got used to it; her social anxiety was no longer as severe as before. At least after receiving extra points from professors, she could now respond with a calm "thank you" like everyone else.
Hogwarts' first-year curriculum was still quite relaxed, normally with only three classes a day.
But if homework was counted, it was another matter.
The young wizards had to spend all their extracurricular time in the library to barely finish those assignments several feet long.
And the font couldn't be too big, because the last clever person who did so not only lost five points from Professor McGonagall but also had their homework doubled, leading to dark circles under their eyes for a long time.
Ultimately, it was Professor McGonagall fearing that one day he might pass out in the classroom that led to the punishment being canceled.
But since then, no one dared to play such tricks again.
However, there's always an exception to every rule.
In Kael's view, what others considered nightmare assignments were incredibly easy.
What's just an essay anyway? He's got experience in this, and since first-year students didn't have plagiarism checks, he could write as he pleased.
By referencing a few related books, adding a few optional sentences, and then summarizing it.
In less than twenty minutes, a perfect assignment was born, and professors even praised him for his extensive reading.
Except for one Professor of Potions whose name he preferred not to mention.
For some reason Kael always felt that Snape increasingly disliked him, often finding reasons to dock two points from him.
But Kael couldn't do much about it, except try to avoid Snape and each time he lost points he would buy a bottle of Potter's fast shampoo, planning to anonymously gift it to him after saving up a box full.
On Halloween, Kael was still as usual, sitting in the library reading. It was not until the dinner was about to begin that he brought the unfinished "Great Duel Master" to Madam Pince.
"How many days this time?" Madam Pince asked without looking up.
"One day."
"Mm."
Since Kael borrowed books from there every other day, Madam Pince remembered him somewhat, simply jotting down his name and time before finishing.
Because today was Halloween, the auditorium was already filled with colorful decorations earlier.
Pumpkins carved into various shapes hovered above the auditorium, instantly creating a full Halloween atmosphere.
A thousand bats fluttered on the walls and ceiling, even swirling above the tables forming a cloud of bats.
Because it wasn't yet dinner time, the entire auditorium felt noisy, with nearly half the people gathered around Gryffindor's table.
Fred and George, each with a pumpkin head, were there mimicking the signature moves of the Headless Hunter Club, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
The professors on the platform didn't stop them, as they were equally entertained, with Dumbledore happily pulling out candy hoping to trade with other professors.
Unfortunately, no one paid attention to him.
Even the usually kind Professor Sprout politely declined when handed a stack of cockroach clusters.
"Did you visit the library again?"
When Kael sat down at the Hufflepuff table, Cedric leaned over and asked, "Why are you reading a book about dueling."
"It's for Charm Class homework."
Kael handed the book to Cedric and said, "I must try to recover the points deducted in Potion Class, and the practical application of Basic Spells is what Professor Flitwick loves to see the most."
Cedric knew about Snape targeting Kael and sympathetically glanced at him, "Have you gained anything?"
"Don't mention it."
Kael sighed, "Apparently, no wizard would use an Unlocking Charm in a duel."
Cedric nearly burst into laughter on the spot; he thought Kael last class tried a Levitating Spell, but it turned out to be an Unlocking Charm.
Never mind a Great Duel Master, even first-year students won't use an Unlocking Charm in a fight.
Thinking about this, he pressed his lips even tighter.
Kael suspiciously glanced at Cedric; intuition told him the latter was definitely thinking rude thoughts. But before he could say something, an owl just landed nearby.
It extended its claw and placed a piece of paper in Kael's dish.
"Is it for me?"
Kael curiously opened the note; the handwriting was sloppy and messy, but he could still make it out.
Dear Kael Chopper,
I've collected some Moonstruck Beast dung; if you have time, could you come over on Friday (I remember you have no class that afternoon).
Hagrid.
After reading the note, Kael was obviously stunned. He never expected Hagrid would personally invite him to the hut.
Seeing Kael holding the note in a daze, Cedric, who had finished chuckling in secret, curiously asked, "Who's the letter from?"
"Hagrid," Kael said.
Cedric thought for a moment, "The keeper by the edge of the Forbidden Forest?"
"Yes, that's right," Kael replied.
"What does he want from you? Do you know him?"
"The letter mentioned collecting some Moonstruck Beast dung," Kael explained, "I planted two ornamental plants and visited him once."
"Can you take me with you when you go?" Cedric said, "I'm quite curious about the place."
"Well, just go if you want to, what's the big deal."
Kael took out his quill, wrote on the back of the note, "Alright, I'll come over with my friend tomorrow afternoon."
He then fed the owl some nuts and let it fly back.
Then, the dinner just started.
Since it was Halloween, the food was much more abundant than usual, including a whole fragrant roast beef leg, pumpkin pie, and caramel apples.
Various candies were also essential, Kael scanned and was glad there weren't any cockroach clusters, it seemed the principal's unique taste hadn't affected the kitchen.
...